You've heard good things about the Raspberry Pi and Arduino, and you can't decide which is right for your next DIY project. These small PCBs may look similar and even work for the same projects sometimes, but they occupy their own electronics niches.

So, which is right for you, an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi? We’ll explain it all here.

Arduino vs Raspberry Pi: What Is the Difference?

arduino and raspberry pi on table

To get an idea of the differences between an Arduino and a Raspberry Pi, it makes sense to explore the most popular board from each brand. The specs of each board aren’t really comparable, but should still be considered when making the choice for your DIY electronics projects.

Arduino Uno R3 Features & Specs

arduino uno r3 board
Image Credit: Arduino Store

The Arduino Uno R3 is a microcontroller, rather than a mini-computer. A microcontroller is just a small part of what makes a whole computer. This means that an Arduino only provides a subset of the functionality of a Raspberry Pi.

Although the Arduino can be programmed with small applications written in C++, it cannot run a full-scale operating system. Rather than regular connector ports, an Arduino has a series of pins that are compatible with an array of sensors and components. A range of Arduino boards are available.

The Arduino Uno R3 key specs are as follows:

  • Microcontroller Chip: ATmega328P (clocked @ 16MHz)
  • SRAM: 2kB
  • EEPROM: 1kB
  • Digital I/O Pins: 14
  • PWM Digital I/O Pins: 6
  • Analog Input Pins: 6

Raspberry Pi 4 Features & Specs

raspberry pi 4 model b

Unlike an Arduino, a Raspberry Pi is a full-blown computer. It can run operating systems like Linux and Windows, comes with regular I/O ports like HDMI, and packs a lot more power than an Arduino. There are several Raspberry Pi models available, ranging from the diminutive Pi Zero to the more powerful Raspberry Pi 4.

The Raspberry Pi 4 key specs are as follows:

  • Processor: Broadcom BCM2711 (quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC clocked @ 1.5GHz)
  • RAM: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB
  • Connectivity: 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet
  • Ports: 2 x USB 3.0 + 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x micro-HDMI, 2-lane MIPI DSI display, 2-lane MIPI CSI camera, 4-pole stereo audio and composite video, and USB Type-C Power ports

Raspberry Pi Pico Microcontroller Board

raspberry pi pico

It’s worth noting at this stage that Raspberry Pi has its own microcontroller board available. The Raspberry Pi Pico can perform the same role as an Arduino, with a range of models offering different features.

Arduino vs Raspberry Pi: Strengths & Weaknesses

raspberry pi with an arduino uno

While an Arduino isn’t a full-blown computer, it still has its uses. The same is true for a Raspberry Pi, making it well worth considering the strengths and weaknesses of both types of board before starting your next DIY electronics project.

Arduino Microcontroller Board Strengths & Weaknesses

arduino uno with atmega328p chip

An Arduino is perfect for electronics projects. It contains a set of inputs and outputs that connect to components, making it ideal for DIY projects with limited scope. When an Arduino is powered up, the code stored in its memory will start to run right away, without the need for peripherals or reboots.

Alongside these benefits, Arduinos also come in many flavors. You can find examples of these boards with extra I/O pins and improved connectivity, with each board in the Arduino line-up coming in at a low price. Arduino is the most popular platform for electronics projects. Even though electronics projects are possible on Raspberry Pi, you won't find nearly as many beginner tutorials to help you.

Of course, though, Arduino microcontrollers do have weaknesses. Low memory and processing power make it difficult to run complex programs, and they simply cannot match the performance of a Raspberry Pi. Though it might be best to consider the Pi as an upgrade once you're ready to handle bigger and more demanding projects.

Raspberry Pi Strengths & Weaknesses

Raspberry Pi 4

As we’ve already mentioned, a Raspberry Pi is a full-fledged computer with far more power than an Arduino. It requires an operating system and takes a small amount of time to boot up before it is operational. Storage comes in the form of a microSD card, allowing you to expand your Raspberry Pi to accommodate files of just about any size. This makes it possible to run a range of operating systems on your Raspberry Pi, including Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian), RISC OS, Windows, and even the Xbox Media Center.

At the heart of the Raspberry Pi is a Broadcom system-on-chip based on an ARM CPU; it has memory, and a graphics processor driving the HDMI output. It can even work with peripherals like a keyboard and mouse. This makes a Raspberry Pi perfect for projects requiring more interactivity and processing power. You can use your Raspberry Pi for a range of complex DIY projects, but this is something we will cover in the next section.

That said, the Raspberry is significantly more complex for simple electronics projects. DIY electronics that require minimal code on an Arduino can necessitate the use of multiple libraries on a Raspberry Pi. You can do nearly everything an Arduino can on a Pi; it's just more complicated.

Combining the Power of Raspberry Pi and Arduino

The Raspberry Pi may be more complex than an Arduino, and the Arduino can't really handle as much as the Pi, but have you considered using them together? The AlaMode project puts a stackable Arduino plate directly on top of the Pi, giving instant access to all the usual Arduino functions. Alternatively, just plug your Arduino into the USB port of your Pi and communicate with it directly.

Raspberry Pi vs Arduino: Suitable Projects

Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards

The differences between an Arduino and Raspberry Pi mean that they excel in different areas. Arduinos are best for simple projects with external components, like motors and LEDs, while Raspberry Pis are ideal for more complex ideas, like CCTV cameras and media centers. Let’s take a look at some example projects to get you started.

Multi-Camera CCTV System With Raspberry Pi and motionEyeOS

Raspberry Pis are more than powerful enough to receive video signals from camera modules. With the help of motionEyeOS, you can create your own multi-camera CCTV system within a few short hours. What’s best, though, is this system allows for both motion tracking and wireless connectivity. This guide shows you how to do this with any Raspberry Pi mini computer.

Simple Handheld Video Game With an Arduino

With a handful of buttons, a small display, and an Arduino, you can create your own handheld video game device. The game in this example is a simple reaction-based one, but you can work on your own games to get the results you want. A game like this is possible on a Raspberry Pi, though the resources it requires would waste a Pi’s potential.

Raspberry Pi 4 as a Jellyfin Streaming Media Center

Jellyfin is a free and open-source media center software that works well with Raspberry Pi 4s. Music, movies, and even live TV can all be streamed using your own Jellyfin streaming server, and this guide shows you how to get started with ease. This is an affordable way to turn a regular TV into a smart TV with all the features you could possibly want.

Temperature Controller With an Arduino

This final project idea is perfect for anyone looking to turn their Arduino into a temperature controller. Using a TMP36 temperature probe, this project gives you a device that can turn other devices on and off based on the temperature reading it receives. This is a great example of relay use with an Arduino, and the same concept can be applied to other projects.

Choosing Between Raspberry Pi and Arduino

You should be feeling clearer about the differences between Arduino and Raspberry Pi now, and why one may be better than the other for a particular application. Both of these types of boards are powerful in their own right, but this doesn’t mean they’re great for every project.